The state has begun to ease some restrictions put in place in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Andy Beshear said last week.

Beshear said that on May 28, all events and businesses with 1,000 or fewer people present can increase to 75 percent capacity.

In addition, also starting May 28, indoor and outdoor events with more than 1,000 people can be held at 60 percent capacity.

“The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now projecting a sharp decline in COVID-19 cases by July. I’m hoping we’ll be fully done with all capacity restrictions by July. That is my expectation,” said Gov. Beshear. “We don’t have to be patient for that much longer, but we do have to finish our work and protect the people around us.”

The Governor also clarified that small groups of individuals are no longer mandated to wear facial coverings indoors in private businesses or homes if all individuals present have received the final dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior.

Beshear had earlier attributed the pullback on restrictions to the number of Kentuckians who have chosen to be vaccinated against the coronavirus. On Friday, he said the number of people in Kentucky who have received at least their first dose of the vaccine totaled more than 1.8 million.

Residents who are interested in becoming vaccinated against the virus can contact their local health department to make an appointment. Many pharmacies throughout the area are also offering the vaccine.

Clinics are set for May 11 in Maysville with the one-dose Johnson and Johnson and May 15 in Mount Olivet, also with Johnson and Johnson. Call 606-564-9447 to schedule an appointment.

Lewis County is holding a drawing for a Yeti cooler for those who get vaccinated on May 12 or 13 at the Clarksburg Christian Church or Tollesboro United Methodist Church. Call 606-796-2632 to make an appointment.

Bracken County is conducting a vaccination clinic Wednesday, May 12 administering the Moderna vaccine. Appointments can be made by calling 606-735-2157 or by clicking on the link at Schedule an Appointment at https://brackenhd.org/.

Both Lewis and Robertson counties also remain in the Red Zone on the state’s COVID-19 map with Bracken, Mason and Fleming counties in the Orange Zone.

The most recent local numbers for COVID-19 cases include:

Mason County — Total cases, 1,651; 49 currently active; 37 deaths.

Robertson County — Total cases, 243; nine currently active; 15 deaths.

Bracken County — Total cases, 603; seven currently active; eight deaths.

Lewis County — Total cases, 1,330; currently active, 41; 35 deaths.

Fleming County — Total cases, 1,147; currently active, 22 ; 24 deaths.

Adams County, Ohio — 2,378 total cases, 52 deaths.

Brown County, Ohio — 3,941 total cases, 57 deaths.